AS someone who voted against the controversial secondary splash wall because I would much prefer a marina to attract yachtsmen, tourists and new businesses

AS someone who voted against the controversial secondary splash wall because I would much prefer a marina to attract yachtsmen, tourists and new businesses, I am surprised that the North Somerset Council executive does not question its officers when they say funding may be lost for years if an immediate splash wall decision is not made. As the 'Berlin wall' flood defence scheme will presumably have to be amended to allow for some extra crossing points, a Government decision whether to fund it or not cannot yet be taken.That should suit Councillor Mike Bell, North Somerset Council executive member for finance and resources. He wants to defer a decision on the sea wall to, so he says, allow for the marina idea to be investigated. That is the same Cllr Bell who straight after the last local elections as leader of Weston Town Council decided not to continue with the marina project as he was against any sea defence scheme. Thus he scuppered the only project the town council had to bring some extra revenue and business to Knightstone and Birnbeck Pier in May 2003. He seems to once again be trying to stifle development by claiming to support something he does not believe in, in the hope that events will overtake us and we will finish up with the ugly wall that people do not want.It seems that the Government is to at least give us some money for dredging the Marine Lake. I hope that Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, executive member for strategic planning and transport, will see his way to providing model boating facilities on said lake to compensate for the heritage pond he had removed from the nearby beach last year after it had been allowed to deteriorate to a point that it had become a danger to resident and visitor alike.CLLR MIKE KELLAWAY-MARRIOTT - Central Ward, Weston Town Council